Sepelvaltimonsiirtokirurgia

Sepelvaltimonsiirtokirurgia, often referred to as coronary artery bypass surgery or CABG, is a surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart. It is performed when the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque, a condition known as coronary artery disease.

During the surgery, a surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, such as the leg, arm, or chest, and grafts it to bypass the blocked or narrowed section of the coronary artery. This new vessel creates an alternative route for blood to flow, restoring adequate circulation to the heart muscle. The most common types of grafts used are the saphenous vein from the leg and the internal mammary artery from the chest wall.

The decision to perform sepelvaltimonsiirtokirurgia is typically made when less invasive treatments, such as medication or angioplasty with stenting, are not sufficient to manage the coronary artery disease or when the blockages are extensive and complex. The procedure aims to relieve symptoms like chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and fatigue, and to reduce the risk of a heart attack. Recovery time can vary, but it generally involves a hospital stay followed by a period of rehabilitation.